Alyssa underscores commitment to PH team, looks to 2019 SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – As early as now, Alyssa Valdez is already looking forward to the Philippines' hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, where she hopes that the national volleyball team can make an even bigger splash.

The Philippine team, formed just months before the 29th Southeast Asian Games, advanced to the semifinals but fell to powerhouse Thailand, and then lost in heartbreaking fashion to Vietnam in the battle for the bronze medal.

Alyssa Valdez in action against Thailand in this file photo. Pool Photo

Yet afterward, the players were mostly upbeat, having felt that they gave their best effort and received the best result possible for them, given their circumstances.

"We were there. A lot of moments na kaya na talagang kuhanin," said Valdez after scoring 17 points in a 27-25, 22-25, 20-25, 21-25 loss to Vietnam, the silver medalist in the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.